Como Park Conservatroy
Posted on 29 July 2010 | No responses
One of my favorite place I went to during my MN trip was the Como Park Conservatory, call me weird but I enjoyed the conservatory very much. It was very educational and fun all at the same time. The best part about it is that the conservatory was free to go in, donation was appreciated but not demanded. There were a few different educational rooms to go in, the flower garden, the tropical room, the Japanese Garden, the Rain Forest and a few more. We didn’t go to the zoo since it was packed and we were on a somewhat time limit so we were not able to go to the zoo, it was still fun regardless. Every year I go pass this building when we go to the July 4th Tournament, but I never knew what it was until now since I was able to go in and explore like a child, boy I sure did felt like a child. I smelt one of the tiger lilies and my face was powder with yellow pollens. Cindy was being silly so she dragged me to the restroom with my face hidden and helped me wash it up, of course we were just being silly, it wasn’t to the point where she had to hide my face as we went to the ladies room, but it was fun as we acted like children. I have to say, every once in a while its okay to act like a child, I mean with all our busy lives and demanding schedules when life gives us that spare time to act like a child, we should cherish it, it’s well worth it!
Duluth MN
Posted on 28 July 2010 | 1 response
Duluth MN was beautiful! The drive up north was amazing minus the rain we had to drive through! It was very scenic and beautiful, I can enjoy this ride all the time, as I love myself some nature!! We drove to Duluth in the rain, the good thing was by the time we finally reached Duluth the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy the nice chilly weather. It was a bit chilly since the sun was not out and very foggy. But the trip was still well worth it.
This was the lighthouse at the visiting center in Duluth along Lake Superior.
A view from the walk to the lake house on Lake Superior.
On Lake Superior. We were trying to skid rocks, for the first time ever I skid some rocks!!
And this was the nasty storm we arrive too when we returned to St. Paul!!! Yeah it was storming and they had a Tornado warning too!
Minnehaha Falls, MN
Posted on 27 July 2010 | 1 response
A aunt of mine picked us up to spend the night at her house during our stay in Minnesota, the last time I saw her was 3 years ago, her son who I once babysat was now all grown up and he couldn’t recognized us anymore. They moved to Georgia when he was only 2-3 years old and moved back a year after that, he is now 6 years old, very adorable and very, very talkative. But my aunt was kind enough to take us to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis Minnesota, I have to say we had a good time with the nature walk. We went to the park, parked our car and then we headed towards the fall. The walk to the fall was not bad at all, we just went down a few flights of stairs and the fall was right in front of us, gated, so it would not be dangerous. We then went on the nature trail and walked from the falls to the Mississippi River and than walked back. This is where I felled and scrapped my knee, which hurts pretty badly, but luckily I had band aid to aid the pain. I now have a few nasty scars on my right knee. Right on my knee was the scrap from bike riding at Phelan Park (Cindy kind of ran into my bike and caused me to fall, scrapped my knee and almost twisted my wrist). Right under my knee was a few scars from falling at Minnehaha Falls. I said Hlee pushed me down and I fell, but truth be told, I feel from the steep trail.
Regardless of all that, I still had a wonderful time!! The nature walk was beautiful, the breeze was amazing and I have to say, the weather was really on our side that day! I sure do miss the Minnesota weather, minus the few days we had a tornado warning!!!
3 Years::: The Kong and Shu Project
Posted on 22 July 2010 | 4 responses
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No they do not have a new album out (that I know of YET) but I would like to say CONGRATULATION on your 3RD year as the KONG AND SHU PROJECT!!!!
Today on June 22nd 2010 marks the 3rd year since they had became The Kong and Shu Project, who consist of two brothers, Kong and Shu Lor from North Carolina. Since they became The Kong and Shu Project they had made a big impact on many Hmong teenagers including the Hmong communities and they had performed in many states and cities. They are not only good at what they do but they are very kind and friendly guys.
For the last 3 years they had produce 2 beautiful albums (“Pib Qhov Twg?” and “Mus Dawb Mus Hu”) and we look forward for many more beautiful albums and live performances to come!
Once again, CONGRATULATION on your 3rd year as The Kong and Shu Project!! We hope for a new album out soon! You guys had done a great job and continue to do your good deeds around the community!!! We’ll be waiting for your next album!!!
Split Rock Lighthouse
Posted on 21 July 2010 | 11 responses
I have to say Split Rock Lighthouse was amazing, the drive it self was very beautiful! On the drive to Duluth MN was very disappointing as it started to down pour during our drive to beautiful Duluth MN, it was cold and raining, but I had hope that the rain well eventually stop so we can enjoy the beautiful city. Once we reached the City of Duluth we went to the nearby target to purchase some ponchos and sweaters to keep ourselves warm but good thing was that the rain finally stopped. Then we headed down to Lake Superior and enjoy a lake over look, it was beautiful (I’ll post up the little pictures that I took). Then after that we headed to Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbor MN, about 2 hours away from the Canada boarder. If we had more time we would had stopped by the boarder, but none of use brought our passport (but I believe I am the only person who have a passport).
The drive to Split Rock was just amazing, I wanted to take the scenic highway, but unfortunately we were unable to take that route. But the drive it self was still amazing. When we reached Split Rock Lighthouse we all took a small tour in their welcome center than off to the lighthouse we went. The lighthouse wasn’t was big as I was hoping for, but it was amazing, the first lighthouse I’ve ever step foot on. I’ve seen lighthouses from afar, but this was the first time I was able to step into the lighthouse and tour the area.
After we toured the Lighthouse keeper’s home and the lighthouse we took a trail down to the bottom to the lake which was of course Lake Superior. The hike was fun and long as my sister Cindy was such a good joke and everyone laughed at her and my cousin Kachia’s jokes. We all walked around the lake and I took a few pictures. It was such a pity that the day we were there, the sun decided that it did not wanted to come out. The lake was filled with fogs, lots of fogs and absolutely no sun at all, but it was still amazing. I thought it was very magical with the fog dancing along the coast line and the lighthouse.
The walk back to the lighthouse was painful, we took a very very very long flight of stairs back to the light house but it was all well worth it!!! I had a blast there. Our time was cut short since we were on a time limit so we left back to Duluth to have lunch than we headed home since it was a good 3ish 4 hours drive back home to St. Paul MN.
On our way home we just barely missed a storm that hit the Twin Cities. The drive home was dark and gloomy from the storm, but at the same time I thought it was beautiful, I know call me weird!
Next time when I visit MN, I’ll be sure to leave at least 3 days to explore up north MN, there are so many beautiful places that I want to see and maybe I’ll take the chance and drive to the Canada boarder. Maybe I’ll start planning for another trip, this time I’ll rent a car (then I’ll be 25 so I can really rent a car without getting charge an arm and a leg!!) and make sure I visit the whole state, not just selected few places!!!
I had a good time driving to Duluth MN and to Split Rock Lighthouse. I’ll share pictures of Duluth when I get the chance!!!
I had to cropped the above image since my sister Cindy was on the bottom corner opposite of the lighthouse pretending she was Cindy the little Mermaid. Good times! Good times!!
The Rice Palace
Posted on 20 July 2010 | 3 responses
On our last day in MN my uncle took us to The Rice Palace, a Hmong buffet in St. Paul Minnesota on White Bear Ave. I’ve been to a Hmong restaurant before here in Georgia (although it’s sad to say that they sold the restaurant and now its a Thai restaurant), I was very excited to try this restaurant when I first heard it had open. Minnesota’s Senator Mee Moua took the honor to be a part of the grand opening earlier this year. From what I’ve read she was very impress with this restaurant so I was excited to see if it was good. I had heard mix opinion so I had to try it for myself.
I have to say when I entered into this buffet it felt like walking into any buffet, but when you walk in you are greeted by the cashier, paid for you meal and then are seated by waitresses dress in a Hmong design vest which I though was very clever. Everyone who worked there was very friendly and kind, I was impressed with the happy faces. It wasn’t a busy afternoon at all considering it was a Tuesday afternoon, there was two waitresses that I had notice and one waiter who works at the pho and bbq station. The service was great with the smiling faces but I was disappointed to say that I had to ask for refills on my water, honestly I hate having to ask for water when I am at a restaurant, I know I am very annal, sorry guys, but besides having to ask for refills of my water, they were great with their services.
The food was great, very yummy! I do not know if they serve the same things all the times, but when we went I remember they serve some great food, I had my pick on the spring rolls, the sushi, the sweet meat (my favorite) and a few more yummy dishes that they offer there. Oh and I was very very happy to see some pepper, as a huge pepper eater I was expecting pepper and they were great with it, the pepper was very good too. I really enjoyed their spring roll, it was one of my favorite aside from the sweet meat. The fried rice was good, honestly all the food I picked out was good. Their pho was very good as well. What buffet offers pho? Wait never mind, Sydney Buffet here in Georgia offers Pho too, but back to what I was saying, their pho was pretty good. Having a handsome guys work at the Pho stand, that was a plus!! Pity I didn’t get to try their KongPong (Curry noodle) but I will the next time I go back to MN. They had a good selections of dessert as well. I especially like their tricolor, it was very good.
Again I enjoyed this restaurant, the only problem I had was not refilling my water, but besides that I had a good experience and thought the food was great!! Everyone who stops by St. Paul or Minneapolis should give this Hmong restaurant a try!
Hmongtown
Posted on 19 July 2010 | 8 responses
Here is a place I really like and spent most of my vacation at!! Yes really, HMONG TOWN, it’s a 7 days Hmong flea market on Como Ave. in St. Paul MN. This is a one stop shop for anything Hmong. When entering into Hmongtown, you may find it’s hard to find a parking spot (on the weekends) and once you finally find that one parking space, you see yourself amongst many many Hmong people and loud banging music from different movie and music booths. They sale everything you can think of that is Hmong related. The first building to your left there are vendors who sales Hmong clothes, newest fashion, shoes, movies, dvds and etc then walk straight ahead and you’l find yourself right in front of the food court. Here you’ll find many great dishes (such as the dishes at New Years and tournaments and even dishes at traditional Hmong parties). You’ll find yourself in front of many booths with great food, the question is, who should I buy it from, they all looks very delicious!! The Nava (tri-color) are very yummy and honestly everything I’ve ate there is very good.
There are outside booths and indoor booths. There are 2 buildings and about 3 half buildings and an outside veggie stall including the indoor veggies stalls. This is a huge Hmong flea market, it took me a few days to really walk the entire flea market (honestly I spent majority of my times at my aunt’s movie/dvd booth). This is the place where majority of my spending money went to.
Taking pictures are not allowed so we were not able to get many photos, good ones to be honest.
Paj Nyiag Txog Hmoo–My Review
Posted on 16 July 2010 | 8 responses
Photos credit to the director…
I am not sure if I am just being a little too religiously emotional about this movie or not, but I just did not like this movie what so ever, left like it was a total waste of my time and money purchasing and watching this movie. This movie cost 5 bucks more than the average Hmong movies, hump!
I tried watching this movie with an open mind, I tried, but the more I tried, the more offended I get with this movie. And honestly, I think this is one of the worst storylines Moua Lee had ever came up with, but then again, it may had just been my emotional religious feelings that is speaking (don’t get me wrong, I think Moua Lee is a great director and a great writter). I thought the trailer did an extremely bad job trying to portray this movie, it was a very good eye catching trailer, oh it really caught my attention, but when watching the movie, it really was not what the trailer had portrayed. I thought this was a very religious movie and in the trailer they did not portray any of the religious aspect at all. Yes this movie really is about the life of Paj Nyiag, our main actress and yes it was about Paj Nyiag’s horrible luck, her abusive father not loving her and her mother because she was not the son her father wanted, yes it was about Paj Nyiag living with her aunt and uncle and worked hard under their rules for the little food she gets, yes it’s about Paj Nyiag having to suffer an illness on top of all that, but in the trailer it had nothing about Kos (sorry, I cannot recall what his name in the movie was) wanting to help convert Paj Nyiag into Christianity (Guess I should had read the summary). The religious aspect of this movie was so strong that I felt that in this movie, the main point isn’t about Paj Nyiag’s life anymore but it’s about how if you’ve become a believer you’ll be saved as for the people who are not believers, they’ll just have to suffer for life, I thought that was offensive, I tried not to think it that way, but of course isn’t it the viewers thought and understanding to judge a movie? Well that was my judgment and my understanding of the movie. I don’ t mind if the main focus was of Christ, but it just bugged me because (from my view) they are bashing on the shamanist religion, stating that if you continue to follow that religion you’ll fall into hardship, but once you convert, life is sweet…
Someone, anyone if you guys beg to differ, please shine some light on me, I would love to see beyond what I cannot or did not see with this movie.
Meet and Greet at the July 4th Hmong Freedom Tournament
Posted on 15 July 2010 | 3 responses
Okay it wasn’t really a meet and greet at the July 4th tournament, but it was kind of like it, I’ve met a few Hmong celebrities and took pictures with them and of course supported them (if I haven’t yet purchased their music).
Sorry I got really fat during my stay in MN… We ate so much during the stay!!!
Drool, The Sounders were so very nice and kind, we must had bugged them to take pictures a million times!! My brother sat on my CD and cracked it in half so I had to buy another one and got the guys to sign it.
Kong and Shu of the Kong and Shu Project, I actually met Kong a year and a half ago. They booth are sweet guys! Kong and I had became acquaintance since we’ve met.
Pagnia Xiong with my sisters and I and that stranger in the background!! Okay he’s not really a stranger, but he’s a cousin/friend we’ve met, he’s also visiting MN from Alaska as I called it Eskimo Country (we like to joke with him). But it do look like he was a random guy who happened to walk into the photo.
I didn’t get this guy’s name, he was amazing!! he drew a picture of my sisters, me and the stranger from Alaska. Okay the stranger’s name is Nhia. I am actually waiting for Nhia to send me a scanned version and a framed enlarge image of the drawing. I will share it once he does send it to me.
Cindy and I with the Hmong band called Ordinary Days
July 4th Hmong Freedom Tournament, St. Paul MN
Posted on 14 July 2010 | 9 responses
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been to St. Paul Minnesota and the Fourth of July Hmong Freedom Tournament event. I have to say this year had been a great success with lots of Hmong people (like always) and I had a great time during this event. Saw a lot of “famous” Hmong celebrities and a few friends and spend lots of money!
Below are photos from the event, these are just photos from the game sections, none of the merchant sections nor the stage since I didn’t spend much time at the stage area. If you think that’s a lot of people you haven’t seen nothing yet, that’s only a small area of the event.
